Array of hopefuls to flex their muscles in glory push
THE annual Butterworth Classic Bodybuilding (BCB) contest will see 200 Eastern Cape athletes competing for the top position in their different divisions at the Butterworth Christian Centre today.
The bodybuilding contest was cofounded by Bulelani Jola and Xolisa Susela and they have also organised this third annual event.
The contest has 11 divisions including beach bikini, fitness bikini, men’s cover model, men’s muscle model, junior U23, men’s under-60kg, men’s under-70kg, men’s under-80kg, men’s under-90kg, men’s under-100kg and men’s over100kg.
In the male divisions the first prize is R15 000, second prize is R8 000 and the third prize is R4 000.
“Since we also started up the ladies divisions the overall winner will get R2 500, second place is R1 000 and third place is R500 including a hamper from Nutritech valued at R1 000.”
Jola said this year the overall winner will get a championship belt worth R15 000 together with the prize-money.
Last year’s winner of the contest Misumzi Wakashe from East London turned professional and has also gone on to compete on the world stage where he won the overall top position in his category.
“At BCB I won the light-heavyweight under-90kg. After that I won the IFBB [International Federation of Bodybuilding] provincials and then I went to Jo’burg and won the IFBB nationals.
“I also won the overall position over there and that’s when I qualified for the world champs in Italy.”
He said after winning in his division at the world champs he received a pro-card and now he only competes professionally.
He said: “The Butterworth Classic is a great initiative started by black guys who are passionate about the sport and something that is very rare.
“On top of that they managed to attract sponsors so that when athletes participate they don’t go back with supplements only but there’s money too they give to them.” He welcomed the cash prize which can come in handy.
Registration starts at 8am tomorrow at the venue until 10am and people are encouraged to come early to the event to support their favourite participants.